Could Manu be a first-ballot Hall of Fame selection?

We’re seeing history play out in front of us the last few years here in Spurs Nation.

The current Spurs team has at least two absolute locks as first-ballot Basketball Hall of Fame selections. And probably even one more potential member, considering the way the Hall has always been picked.

There’s no doubt that Tim Duncan and Gregg Popovich are Springfield-bound as soon as they are eligible. If they aren’t first-ballot picks, the voters who decide otherwise are due for a saliva test.

Manu Ginobili will be in the Hall of Fame, too. Considering the Hall’s quirky way of selecting players, Ginobili should be a first-ballot selection as well.

And here’s another reason: Ginobili’s value will be decided by a Hall of Fame that always bent over backwards to be inclusive for international players. It’s why players like Bob Houbregs, Sergei Belov, Kresimir Cosic, Drazen Petrovic and Drazen Dalipagic are in the Hall while some deserving former NBA candidates like Reggie Miller and Chet Walker aren’t.

Ginobili will go down in history as one of the handful of greatest international players in NBA history. He’ll be mentioned along with players like Dirk Nowitzki, Hakeem Olajuwon, Steve Nash and Dikembe Mutombo if you ever picked an “International Dream Team.” The fact Ginobili led Argentina to the gold medal in 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens will only boost his credentials.

That recognition for international players is another reason why I think that Tony Parker will have a good chance for induction when he retires. Parker still is only 29 years old and figures to have seven to eight more years in his professional career if he’s fortunate with injuries.

The only two MVP of Finals who aren’t in the Hall of Fame are Jo Jo White and Cedric “Cornbread” Maxwell. Because of Parker’s impact on the game internationally, I expect him to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

While that happens, he’ll likely meet up with his former teammates Duncan, Ginobili and David Robinson and his former coach Popovich.